Islanders Let One Slip Away in Frustrating Loss to Predators
For a game that started with so much promise, the Islanders’ 4-3 regulation loss to the Nashville Predators ended with more questions than answers - and a fair share of frustration. After jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes, the Isles unraveled. Defensive breakdowns, special teams struggles, and a controversial goalie interference call all played a part in a game that, truthfully, they were fortunate to even be in.
Let’s break it down.
A Fast Start, Then a Full Stop
The Islanders came out flying. Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair were buzzing from the opening faceoff, and it took just 89 seconds for Barzal to cash in. He found himself at the back door, batting a bouncing puck past Juuse Saros to give New York the early lead.
Four minutes later, it was 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer - yes, that 18-year-old - who doubled the advantage with a confident finish. The play started with Ryan Pulock handling a tough pass from Barzal.
Pulock’s stumble drew a defender out of position, opening up space for Schaefer to drive down the left wing. He didn’t miss, ripping his 15th goal of the season past Saros with the kind of composure that makes you forget he’s still a teenager.
But that’s where the good vibes ended.
Special Teams Letdown and a Second-Period Barrage
The momentum shifted when Adam Pelech took a tripping penalty midway through the first. It took Nashville just six seconds to capitalize on the power play, and three minutes later, the game was tied.
From there, the Predators took over. The Isles were on their heels, and if not for Ilya Sorokin standing tall in net, this one could’ve gotten out of hand early.
Case in point: Nashville fired a UBS Arena record 22 shots on goal in the second period alone. That’s not a typo.
Twenty-two. And somehow, the Isles still managed to take a 3-2 lead against the run of play.
J-G Pageau was the one to find the net, creating a goal out of sheer determination. After receiving a pass from Anders Lee, Pageau drove the middle and tried to dish it back.
The pass was blocked, but the deflection worked in his favor. Saros and the Predators defense were caught moving the wrong way, and Pageau calmly slid the puck home.
But the lead didn’t last. Filip Forsberg tied it at 3-3 seven minutes later, and from there, it was a grind.
The Goal That Wasn’t
The most controversial moment of the night came in the third period, when Anthony Duclair appeared to give the Islanders a 4-3 lead. But just as quickly, the officials waved it off for goalie interference - without even waiting for a Nashville challenge.
Here’s the thing: Duclair wasn’t in the crease. Saros initiated the contact.
And a Predators defender helped keep Duclair in place. It’s the kind of sequence that leaves everyone scratching their heads, including head coach Patrick Roy, who’s seen just about everything in his 19 NHL seasons as a player.
The Islanders challenged the call, but it stood. Adding insult to injury, they were hit with a delay of game penalty for the failed challenge.
To their credit, they killed it off. But the damage - both on the scoreboard and to the team’s momentum - was already done.
The Late Dagger
With just 1:14 left in regulation, and the teams skating 4-on-4 after another questionable call, Roman Josi delivered the final blow. The Predators’ captain found space and buried the game-winner, capping off a night where Nashville was the better team from the midpoint on.
The Islanders, meanwhile, looked like a team searching for answers. They couldn’t connect passes, couldn’t sustain pressure, and couldn’t keep up with the Predators’ pace.
Roy tried to shake things up with different line combinations, but nothing seemed to click. The only bright spot - beyond Sorokin’s heroics and Schaefer’s finish - was the return of Casey Cizikas to the lineup. Max Shabanov also stayed in, filling in for Jonathan Drouin, who was out sick.
What’s Next
This one stings - not just because of how it ended, but because of what it could mean in the standings. Nashville was a winnable game. Meanwhile, the Penguins, Capitals, Blue Jackets, and Canadiens all picked up victories, tightening the race.
The Islanders now head into a tough stretch before the Olympic break: a back-to-back set starting Monday night in Washington, followed by a home game Tuesday against the Penguins, and then a Thursday visit to New Jersey.
There’s still time to right the ship, but nights like this - where a strong start gives way to a collapse - are the kind that linger. The Isles have shown flashes of what they can be.
Now it’s about putting together a full 60 minutes. Because in a playoff race this tight, moral victories don’t count - and missed opportunities like this one can come back to haunt you.